Retractable tarpaulin

Abstract

A retractable shelter is described. In particular embodiments, a tarpaulin includes a conduit with a side wall having first and second inlets and an outlet at one end. A first lift cord may be attached near a lower edge of the tarpaulin, extend through the first set of loops, into the conduit through the first inlet, along the conduit, and then out through the outlet. A second lift cord may likewise extend through the second set of loops, into the conduit, and out through the outlet. One of more lift cords may be tied together, fastened, or braided along their respective lengths. The tarpaulin may include two or more panels equipped with loops, lift cords, conduits, and outlets. In use, the lift cords may be grasped and pulled through the outlet, raising the lower edge of the tarp toward the conduit.

1 . A retractable shelter comprising:
 a tarpaulin supported above a surface between two supports, wherein said tarpaulin defines a first conduit extending along an upper portion of said tarpaulin;   wherein said first conduit has a side wall and generally opposing proximal and distal ends, and wherein said first conduit defines first and second inlets in said side wall and a first outlet near said proximal end;   a first set of loops fastened to said tarpaulin along a first path that is substantially transverse to said first conduit;   a first lift cord attached near a lower edge of said tarpaulin and extending through said first set of loops, through said first inlet into said first conduit, and through said first outlet;   a second set of loops fastened to said tarpaulin along a second path that is substantially transverse to said first conduit; and   a second lift cord attached near said lower edge of said tarpaulin and extending through said second set of loops, through said second inlet into said first conduit, and through said first outlet,   wherein said first and second lift cords are operable to selectively retract said lower edge of said tarpaulin from an extended position toward a collapsed position characterized by said lower edge being adjacent said first conduit.   
     
     
         2 . The retractable shelter of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first retainer for releasably grasping said first lift cord near said first outlet; and   a second retainer for releasably grasping said second lift cord near said first outlet, such that said lower edge of said tarpaulin is selectively securable at a plurality of intermediate positions between said extended position and said collapsed position.   
     
     
         3 . The retractable shelter of  claim 1 , further comprising a combination retainer for releasably grasping both said first and second lift cords near said first outlet, such that said lower edge of said tarpaulin is selectively securable at a plurality of intermediate positions between said extended position and said collapsed position. 
     
     
         4 . The retractable shelter of  claim 3 , wherein said combination retainer comprises a spring-biased cord lock having a barrel with an opening that is sized and shaped to receive both said first and second lift cords, wherein said barrel contains a spring-mounted plunger biased toward grasping said cords. 
     
     
         5 . The retractable shelter of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second lift cords are fastened together near said first outlet when said lower edge of said tarpaulin is near said extended position. 
     
     
         6 . The retractable shelter of  claim 5 , wherein said first and second lift cords are fastened together, along their respective lengths, from at least near the proximal ends of said cords to a point near said first outlet of said firs conduit when said lower edge of said tarpaulin is near said extended position. 
     
     
         7 . The retractable shelter of  claim 5 , wherein said first and second lift cords are fastened together, along their respective lengths, from at least near the proximal ends of said cords to a point near said first inlet inside said first conduit when said lower edge of said tarpaulin is near said extended position. 
     
     
         8 . The retractable shelter of  claim 1 , wherein said first conduit lies along and substantially parallel to an upper edge of said tarpaulin. 
     
     
         9 . The retractable shelter of  claim 1 , wherein said first set of loops comprises a plurality of first loops that are substantially evenly spaced apart along said first path,
 wherein said second set of loops comprises a plurality of second loops that are substantially evenly spaced apart along said second path, and   wherein said plurality of first loops and said plurality of second loops are substantially aligned relative to an axis that is substantially parallel to said first conduit.   
     
     
         10 . The retractable shelter of  claim 1 , wherein said first set of loops comprises a plurality of first tabs, each defining a first eyelet sized and shaped to loosely receive said first lift cord therethrough; and
 wherein said second set of loops comprises a plurality of second tabs, each defining a second eyelet sized and shaped to loosely receive said second lift cord therethrough.   
     
     
         11 . The retractable shelter of  claim 1 , wherein said tarpaulin is supported above said surface by a proximal suspension cord attached to a proximal one of said two supports, and by a distal suspension cord attached to a distal one of said two supports. 
     
     
         12 . The retractable shelter of  claim 1 , wherein said tarpaulin is supported above said surface by a suspension cord attached to said two supports, wherein said tarpaulin further defines a suspension conduit sized and shaped for receiving said suspension cord therethrough. 
     
     
         13 . A retractable shelter comprising:
 a tarpaulin supported above a surface between two supports to form a peak ridge, whereby said tarpaulin is characterized by a first panel extending from said peak ridge to a lower edge, and a second panel extending from said peak ridge to a secondary lower edge,   a first conduit defined by said first panel and extending along said peak ridge, wherein said first conduit has a side wall and generally opposing proximal and distal ends, and wherein said first conduit defines first and second inlets in said side wall and a first outlet near said proximal end;   a first set of loops fastened to said first panel along a first path that is substantially transverse to said first conduit;   a first lift cord attached near said lower edge of said first panel and extending through said first set of loops, through said first inlet into said first conduit, and through said first outlet;   a second set of loops fastened to said first panel along a second path that is substantially transverse to said first conduit;   a second lift cord attached near said lower edge of said tarpaulin and extending through said second set of loops, through said second inlet into said first conduit, and through said first outlet, wherein said first and second lift cords are operable to selectively retract said lower edge of said first panel from an extended position toward a collapsed position adjacent said first conduit;   a second conduit defined by said second panel and extending along said peak ridge, wherein said second conduit has a secondary side wall and generally opposing secondary proximal and distal ends, and wherein said second conduit defines secondary first and second inlets in said secondary side wall and a second outlet near said secondary distal end;   a secondary first set of loops fastened to said second panel along a secondary first path that is substantially transverse to said second conduit;   a secondary first lift cord attached near a secondary lower edge of said second panel and extending through said secondary first set of loops, through said secondary first inlet into said second conduit, and through said second outlet;   a secondary second set of loops fastened to said second panel along a secondary second path that is substantially transverse to said second conduit; and   a secondary second lift cord attached near said secondary lower edge of said second panel and extending through said secondary second set of loops, through said secondary second inlet into said second conduit, and through said second outlet, wherein said secondary first and second lift cords are operable to selectively retract said second lower edge of said second panel from a secondary extended position toward a secondary collapsed position adjacent said second conduit.   
     
     
         14 . The retractable shelter of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a first retainer for releasably grasping said first lift cord near said first outlet;   a second retainer for releasably grasping said second lift cord near said first outlet, such that said lower edge of said first panel of said tarpaulin is selectively securable at a plurality of intermediate positions between said extended position and said collapsed position.   a secondary first retainer for releasably grasping said secondary first lift cord near said second outlet;   a secondary second retainer for releasably grasping said secondary second lift cord near said second outlet, such that said secondary lower edge of said second panel of said tarpaulin is selectively securable at a plurality of intermediate positions between said extended position and said secondary collapsed position.   
     
     
         15 . The retractable shelter of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a combination retainer for releasably grasping both said first and second lift cords near said first outlet, such that said lower edge of said first panel of said tarpaulin is selectively securable at a plurality of intermediate positions between said extended position and said collapsed position; and   a secondary combination retainer for releasably grasping both said secondary first and secondary second lift cords near said second outlet, such that said secondary lower edge of said second panel of said tarpaulin is selectively securable at a plurality of intermediate positions between said secondary extended position and said secondary collapsed position.   
     
     
         16 . The retractable shelter of  claim 13 , wherein said first and second lift cords are fastened together near said first outlet when said lower edge of said first panel of said tarpaulin is near said extended position, and
 wherein said secondary first and second lift cords are fastened together near said second outlet when said secondary lower edge of said second panel of said tarpaulin is near said secondary extended position.   
     
     
         17 . The retractable shelter of  claim 13 , wherein said first and second lift cords are fastened together, along their respective lengths, from at least near the proximal ends of said cords to a point near said first outlet when said lower edge of said first panel of said tarpaulin is near said extended position. 
     
     
         18 . The retractable shelter of  claim 13 , wherein said first and second lift cords are fastened together, along their respective lengths, from at least near the proximal ends of said cords to a point near said first inlet inside said first conduit when said lower edge of said first panel of tarpaulin is near said extended position. 
     
     
         19 . The retractable shelter of  claim 13 , wherein said first conduit lies along and substantially parallel to said peak ridge, and wherein said second conduit lies along and substantially parallel to said peak ridge. 
     
     
         20 . The retractable shelter of  claim 13 , wherein said first set of loops comprises a plurality of first loops that are substantially evenly spaced apart along said first path,
 wherein said second set of loops comprises a plurality of second loops that are substantially evenly spaced apart along said second path, and   wherein said plurality of first loops and said plurality of second loops are substantially aligned relative to an axis that is substantially parallel to said first conduit.   
     
     
         21 . The retractable shelter of  claim 13 , wherein said first set of loops comprises a plurality of first tabs, each defining a first eyelet sized and shaped to loosely receive said first lift cord therethrough; and
 wherein said second set of loops comprises a plurality of second tabs, each defining a second eyelet sized and shaped to loosely receive said second lift cord therethrough.   
     
     
         22 . The retractable shelter of  claim 13 , wherein said tarpaulin is supported above said surface by a proximal suspension cord attached to a proximal one of said two supports, and by a distal suspension cord attached to a distal one of said two supports. 
     
     
         23 . The retractable shelter of  claim 13 , wherein said tarpaulin is supported above said surface by a suspension cord attached to said two supports, wherein said tarpaulin further defines a suspension conduit along said peak ridge that is sized and shaped for receiving said suspension cord therethrough.